The Lodge occupies a distinguished position on Montgomerie Street in Tarbolton. While the building itself is not the precise edifice where Burns attended his Masonic gatherings, it stands as a revered connection to his Masonic journey.
It was on the 4th of July in 1781, at the youthful age of 22, that Robert Burns was initiated into Lodge St. David Tarbolton. Swiftly rising through the ranks, he attained the stature of Master Mason on the 1st of October that very year. Burns’s influence extended further as he assumed the role of Depute Master of Lodge Tarbolton (Kilwinning) St. James No. 135, a position he held from 1784 to 1788.
Within the hallowed confines of the Lodge, relics and visual traces harken back to the era when Robert Burns strode the Masonic path. Among these cherished artifacts are:
- The Kilwinning Charter, echoing the historical origins of the Lodge.
- A letter, inked by Burns himself, addressed to the Lodge, a tangible link to his involvement.
- A Minute Book bearing the record of Burns’s initiation, an indelible mark of his presence.
- A Bible procured by Burns for the Lodge, a spiritual touchstone shared by the brethren.
- The Master’s jewel, once graced by Burns as Depute Master, a tangible emblem of his leadership.
- A mallet, wielded by Burns when presiding over meetings, a symbol of his authority.
- Candlesticks that have witnessed the illumination of meetings attended by Burns.
- Burns’s own Masonic apron, worn in the spirit of brotherhood and fraternity.
- The Masters Chair and footstool, icons that cradle the memory of Burns’s presence.
While the Lodge’s physical form has evolved, these cherished relics serve as tangible threads connecting contemporary visitors to the illustrious past. The Montgomerie Street Lodge resonates with echoes of Burns’s footsteps and contributions, a space where history, tradition, and Masonic principles intermingle.
A guide track for ‘Lodge Tarbolton Kilwinning St James No 135’ is available below for listening: -
You can download a PDF of the sheet music here
- or braille format here.
The track is additionally available within the following collections and sets: -
Associated Collections: -
4/4
Ayrshire Places
Bagpipe
March
Not Yet Recorded
Robert Burns
The Tarbolton Collection
The Three Six Five Collection
Associated PDF Download Sets: -
March 1
